PES-2016 outlines the range of skills and knowledge editors need. It sets out what editors should do at various stages of editing, and tells employers and clients what to expect from the editors they hire.

Preparing a memo to the assigning editor or author, commenting on the required edits

Computer Testing

We are now administering professional certification tests on computers, in labs across the country.

In the past, all tests were paper-based. We have shifted to computer-based tests to address the role of computers in the work lives of editors. We recognize that most editors work onscreen a good deal of the time, rather than strictly with pen and paper.

We're excited to offer electronic tests while maintaining the security and integrity of the certification process.

Test Soundness

Validity and reliability are critical for any certification program.

For this reason, we have developed a rigorous process for creating, administering and marking all of our tests. It involves the following steps.

Experienced editors are recruited to participate in the setting of test questions. They're required to know Professional Editorial Standards (2016) inside out and to have seen at least one certified test, either as candidates or as markers. Many test setters have teaching and assessment backgrounds. Test setters are required to sign confidentiality agreements.

The co-chairs of the Certification Steering Committee choose which standards are to be tested on each exam, based on previous years' tests. They provide the test setters with research materials on pedagogically sound question design, and provide ongoing support during test setting. All members of the Certification Steering Committee are required to sign confidentiality agreements.

The test setters begin by reviewing the Test Preparation Guides and previous tests to see how they've been designed. They then develop a two-part test and a detailed marking guide. Part A consists of a series of questions (fill in the blanks, short answers, true or false, multiple choice and matching) and Part B consists of a passage the candidate is to edit or proofread.

The newly set test is reviewed by the test shepherd (a member of the Certification Steering Committee) to ensure that it's fair, covers the appropriate standards and is the appropriate length. The test shepherd then works with a professional designer to lay out the pages for the test and the marking guide. The designer is required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

An experienced editor proofreads the test and the marking guide. The proofreader is required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

The test is piloted by experienced editors. Pilot testers are required to sign confidentiality agreements and are identified on the test papers only by number.

Experienced editors are recruited to mark the tests. If possible, we recruit markers who hold Editors Canada certifications. Markers are required to sign confidentiality agreements.

Each marker marks all of the pilot tests.

A conference call is held with all of the markers, the test shepherd, the test analyst (see point 11, below) and a Certification Steering Committee co-chair. There's an in-depth discussion about whether the questions are valid (i.e., test what they're meant to test) and reliable (i.e., produce stable and consistent results).

The test shepherd modifies the questions and/or the marking guide on the basis of feedback from the pilot testers and the markers.

An experienced test analyst reviews the marked pilot tests and makes additional suggestions for modification. The analyst is a senior editor who has been involved in the certification program and is aware of the issues surrounding test validity and reliability. The test analyst is required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

The test shepherd works with the external designer to modify and finalize the test and the marking guide.

The test is administered in an invigilated setting. Candidates are required to sign confidentiality agreements and are identified on the test papers only by number.

Each test is marked by two markers. If one mark is a pass and the other is a fail, the test is sent to a third marker.

The marking analyst reviews all of the marked tests to ensure that the marking is consistent and reliable.

An Editors Canada staff member in the National Office cross-references the candidate numbers on the tests with the names of the test registrants.

An external auditor (hired from an accounting firm) checks that the cross-referencing has been done correctly and that each candidate will receive the correct pass/fail letter.

An Editors Canada staff member sends each registrant a letter indicating whether s/he has passed or failed the test.